Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-08-12
JUSTICE FIELD.
His Opinion Of Los An.
geles and Vicinity.
THE RAILROAD TAX CASES.
Presidential Prospects Considered
and Next Winters Legis-
latiOn.


The United States, and one OF the
most learned jurists of the age, in
Los Angeles, has awakened more than
ordinary interest, and knowing that
whatever he might say in reference to
this country or to matters Of public
welfare would be eagerly read by
every citizen of this metropolis as well
rs elsewhere, representative of the
HERALD called upon at his apartments
at the Nadeau last evening and asked
him as to the length of his visit in
Los Angeles.
Although somewhat wearied from
the exertlons attendant upon sight
seeing, Justice Field replied that he
intended to leave this week, since
there was but very little business here
which required his presence. In
fact" said he, "there is but little
occasion for me to come at all. Your
District Judge is of superior char
acter and is able to dispose of all the
business of the Federal Court, except
appeals from the District Court,
SO as to leave nothing for
me. The law requires each Justice
of the Supreme Court to visit each
district of the circuit to which he is
allotted once in two years but the local
Judges are so eminently able as to
render that visit unnecessary. Judge
Sawyer of the Circuit Court is man
of great industry and ability as well
rs learning and he keeps his calender
down. Judge Hoffman of the District
Court is also a man of great ability.
He is the oldest Federal Judge in SER
vice in the United States having been
on the bench thirty-six years, and
during that time he has achieved a
great reputation throughout the coun-
try. Judge Deady of Oregon is also a
man of marked ability and learning.
He has occupied the federal bench
ever since the District of Oregon was
organized. In Judge Ross of this
District you have man of very de-
cided ability. He achieved an EN-
viable reputation while as a Judge on
the Supreme Bench of your State.
Judge Sabin of Nevada is also
winning golden opinions for his
decisions. With judges of such a
character, the legal business that
goes into the Federal Court
cannot fail to be ably disposed Of
The law requiring the Supreme JUS
tees to visit each district OF their Cir
cults once in two years was framed
with the idea that such visits would
keep them familiar with local practice
and local Legislation, knowledge OF
which is of the utmost importance in
the discharge Of their duties in Wash
ington."
Reporter-"During your short visit
to Los Angeles, which l understand is
your first, what impression have you
formed in relation to its climatic ad.
vantages and its future ?"
Justice Field-"The more l see OF
Los Angeles and the surrounding
country, the better l like it. l am
charmed with it. 1t has been my
fortune to live in many countries and
lands. have spent some years in
Asia Minor. | have passed one winter
at Athens, which is celebrated for its
beautiful climate. have visited the
southern part of Italy, and | have
been a great deal in France. l spent
the summer of 1886 in Savon, in the
south of France. and without exaggera-
tion can say that your climate is fal
superior to that of any of those coun.
tries. The mildness of the climate
and its raciness, if | may use
the term, caused by the ocean breezes
render Los Angeles incompatible
as a place of residence. l have beer
taken, through the kindness of Judge
Ross, over the city, and have beer
driven by United States Marshal Ris
ley to the Raymond and Sierra Madrt
Villa, and to Mr.. j. De Barth Shorb'l
residence at San Gabriel, and from al
these places the views were perfectly
magnificent. l have seen in all my
travels hardly anything more beauti
full. On Wednesday Judge Ross tool
me to Santa Monica, which was alst
charming. AS resort for persons
seeking to avoid the hard winters o.
the Eastern States and the heat o.
their sultry summers Los Angeles viii
become very popular, if not so al
ready. 1t will become very large
city in few years, and will perhaps
number 10000, but in order that il
may become a great commercial city
also, it must have harbor facilities by
which vessels engaged in foreign com
merce can be safely moored. By what
1 read in your papers judge that the
people are aware of the necessity OF
providing these harbor facilities. You
cannot expect that large vessels from
China, the Sandwich Islands and
Australia will load and unload here
unless you have such facilities for
them. With these facilities this may
become a large commercial city but
not otherwise"
Reporter. "What have you to say
npon the Presidential prospects,
Justice Field. "Upon that subject
you gentlemen of the HERALD are
better posted than l am. can only
draw inferences from the statements
of others. The general impression
east so far as | could Judge, is that
MI. SicNcidiu Will IttclNC tuc DtIIl-
ocratic nomination. In fact, he has
no serious opponent unless it be Mr.
Hill of New York :and he does moi
seem to have much strength out Of
that State. Some few individual
States may express preferences fol
others but / doubt whether they will
amount to much. New York may
possibly give a complimentary vote tc
MIR. Hill and have been told in San
Francisco that California may send
delegates to the National Convention,
with instructions to ballot in favor Of
Mr.. Coleman. Mr.. Hewitt, the present
Mayor of New York, is in every way
fitted to occupy the Presidential
chair. His ideas are broad and his
intellect is large but his physical
health is such that it would be imp. s.
sible for him to endure the fatigues OF
q Presidential campaign or OF the
Presidential office. On the Repub-
lican side Mr.. Sherman and Mr..
Blaine are mentioned. My opinion is